Increase Trend of EU Citrus Imports Driven by Egyptian Oranges

Published 2023년 7월 22일

In the citrus season of MY 2022/23, the European Union (EU) is facing a 10% decline in citrus production, particularly affecting oranges and lemons, due to adverse weather conditions in Spain. The EU has witnessed a significant rise in citrus imports from third countries to supplement the reduced supply. Egypt has emerged as a key player, accounting for over half of the total citrus imports into the EU, followed by South Africa. Morocco, on the other hand, experienced a significant reduction in citrus supplies. Oranges have been crucial in driving import volumes, particularly from Egypt and South Africa. This surge in citrus imports is largely attributed to meeting the demand in the EU market during a decreased domestic citrus production.

In the current citrus season of MY 2022/23, the European Union (EU) citrus production is projected to decrease by 10% compared to the previous season, particularly impacting oranges and lemons. This decline is primarily attributed to adverse weather conditions in Spain, including spring rains negatively affecting flowering and fruit sets, as well as a severe drought experienced in 2023. As citrus prices increase, domestic consumption is expected to decrease, resulting in limited supplementing of EU citrus supply with higher imports, except for oranges.

A recent report, the Enhanced Monitoring of Citrus Imports into the EU, reveals that between Sept-22 and Jun-23, the EU imported a total of 816.3 thousand mt of citrus from third countries. This represents a significant increase of 39.9% compared to the same period in the previous year and 23.2% more than the average.

Egypt has emerged as a key driver of this import growth, accounting for 52.4% of the total citrus imports into the EU, equivalent to 428 thousand mt. Egyptian citrus imports surpassed the average by 77.2% and experienced a remarkable increase of 110.9% compared to the previous season.

South Africa follows closely with a 36.6% market share, importing nearly 300 thousand mt of citrus. The country witnessed a volume increase of 19.1% compared to the average and 16.6% compared to the 2021/22 season. In contrast, Morocco experienced a significant reduction in citrus supplies, with a decrease of 78% compared to the average and 55.6% compared to the previous year, resulting in 10.5 thousand tons.

Oranges were pivotal in driving the import volume, particularly from Egypt, where imports increased by 189% by June compared with last year. Oranges accounted for 51% of the total citrus imports, with small citrus fruit comprising 27%, followed by lemons and grapefruit with 11% and 10%, respectively. Although Egypt led in orange imports, South Africa remained the primary citrus supplier to the EU, contributing 31% of the total volume and experiencing a 28% increase in import volumes during the 2022/23 campaign.

Source: MAPA

Noteworthy volume increases were observed in Egypt (47%), Zimbabwe (29%), and Israel (9%), while some countries, including China (-36%), Argentina (-30%), Morocco (-23%), and Turkey (-20%), experienced decreased volumes.

Egypt significantly outperformed previous reports, with a remarkable increase of 111% compared to the previous season and 77.9% compared to the average, supplying 93% of the total during the specified period. Morocco, on the other hand, saw its volumes reduced by 89.2% compared to the average.

The monthly volumes consistently exceeded those of the previous year, particularly in May and June, the last months analyzed in the report. In June, the volume of oranges imported into the EU reached 87 thousand mt, marking a 161% increase compared to Jun-22.

Import growth from South Africa was particularly notable, with a remarkable increase of 292.6% in June, totaling 12.8 thousand mt. Egypt maintained the largest share, delivering 72.5 thousand mt to the EU market, which represents an increase of 189.4% compared to Jun-22 and 302.5% compared to the average of the same month over the past five years, accounting for 83% of all orange imports from third countries.

Overall, the increased trend of EU citrus imports is primarily driven by the surge in Egyptian oranges, which have significantly contributed to meeting the demand in the EU market during a period of reduced domestic citrus production.